Curator: Merve Elveren

Researchers: Sezgin Boynik and Tevfik Rada (Pykë-Presje)

Translated into Socialism presents the little-known history of the Turkish-speaking community in Yugoslavia, more precisely, in Kosovo and Macedonia between 1920 and 1980. It explores how, during the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and later in Socialist Yugoslavia, a Turkish identity was affirmed and transformed under socialist ideology through newspapers, periodicals, schools, and various cultural and political organizations. The interconnectedness of these initiatives provided a nuanced perspective for the exhibition that challenges mainstream approaches to nationalism and questions the “totalitarian” and “ethno-nationalist” discourse of Yugoslavia, consolidated by its traumatic breakup during the 1990s wars.

Alongside works by Yane Calovski, Hana Miletić, Ahmet Öğüt, Fevzi Tüfekçi, Dilek Winchester and a selection from Moderna galerija’s Arteast 2000+ collection, the exhibition reworks historical materials sourced from private archives and public libraries, many of which are being unearthed for the first time. The exhibition explores the construction of a national consciousness based on internationalism and solidarity, while revealing how the historical distinctiveness of Yugoslavia’s socialism shaped the ways the Turkish-speaking community was imagined. Highlighting new cultural forms arising from these complex dynamics, it weaves together an unfamiliar story that remains unique and relevant.

Translated into Socialism is initiated and researched by Sezgin Boynik and Tevfik Rada (Pykë-Presje) and curated by Merve Elveren. The first iteration of this project was realized in collaboration with Salt (Istanbul) and Lumbardhi Foundation (Prizren). The exhibition posters were designed by Bardhi Haliti.

Acknowledgments: Gönül Bektaş; Tacida & Nimetullah Hafız; Altay Suroy; BAL-TAM, Balkan Center for Turkological Studies (Prizren); Cinematheque of North Macedonia Archive; Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia; The Museum of Revolution fund at the Museum of Kosova; National and University Library (Ljubljana), The Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Archive of the History Department (Skopje); TÜSTAV (Istanbul); Museum of Yugoslavia Archive (Belgrade); International Centre of Graphic Arts (Ljubljana).